19:28The meeting, which drew substantial community interest, was dominated by discussions on Morley’s handling of city management and his potential removal from office. Concerns were raised about ineffective leadership, particularly in the building and code enforcement departments, where issues such as improper permitting and selective enforcement of city codes were cited. The council member advocating for Morley’s termination emphasized the financial and safety liabilities resulting from these alleged failures.

Supporters of Morley, including several residents and staff members, defended his leadership, citing his 23 years of commitment to the city and improvements seen in various departments under his management. They argued that removing Morley would incur substantial costs, both financially and operationally, and emphasized his popularity and competence. One speaker warned that replacing Morley could cost between $200,000 and $300,000, factoring in severance pay and the expense of hiring a consultant to find a new city manager.

1:25:38Conversely, critics of Morley pointed to accountability issues and a lack of effective communication within city departments. Concerns were also raised about the treatment of city employees and the council’s decision-making processes. One council member, in support of terminating Morley, highlighted ongoing procedural failures and noted that records related to code enforcement were poorly maintained, which they claimed violated Florida’s public records statutes.

39:43The debate over Morley’s leadership was further fueled by discussions on the city’s response to post-hurricane recovery efforts, particularly in mobile home communities. Residents expressed frustration over delays in addressing significant health and safety issues, with one speaker critiquing the city manager’s cautious approach as overly conservative.

1:50:48During the meeting, the city manager defended his record, questioning the procedural fairness of the termination proceedings. He argued that he had not been given adequate notice of the charges against him, asserting that this constituted a violation of his rights under the 14th Amendment. The city attorney responded, clarifying that the city council had the authority to terminate the city manager for cause, as outlined in his employment agreement.

19:28The council’s decision to terminate Morley was met with mixed reactions from the community. Some residents expressed relief, hoping for a change in city leadership, while others voiced concern about the potential disruption to ongoing city projects and initiatives. The council’s decision concluded a long-standing debate over city management, underscoring broader concerns about governance, financial management, and community safety.

1:25:38As the council moves forward, it faces the challenge of appointing an interim city manager to stabilize operations while addressing the systemic issues raised during the meeting. The focus will likely remain on ensuring accountability and restoring public trust in city governance, with council members emphasizing the need for decisive action to rectify past failures and improve city operations.

1:50:48The meeting also touched upon other issues, such as the handling of short-term rentals, communication gaps within the city administration, and the archiving of text messages by city employees. Council members debated the appropriateness of their involvement in administrative matters, with some arguing for clearer boundaries between council and administrative roles.